WEBVTT FIRE FIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS HELPED OUT TO MAKE SURE ALL STUDENTS WERE SAFE. A LOCAL STANDOUT ATHLETE IS HELPING HER TEAM WIN ON AND OFF THE FIELD. KRIS: SOFTBALL IS MORE THAN A GAME FOR EDEN VILES KMBC 9’S ROB SCHOOL ON HOW SHE’S GIVING BACK. EDEN VILES HAS ALWAYS FELT CALLED TO SERVE OTHERS. IT WAS THE FIRST PRACTICE AND A GIRL OPENED UP A PLASTIC BAG WITH A GLOVE THAT IS ALL SHE HAD. REPORTER: SOME OF HER TEAMMATES HAVE TO LEAVE PRACTICE EARLY TO MAKE ENDS MEET AT HOME. >> WE HAVE STUDENTS AT TRY OUT DO NOT HAVE CLUBS OR BETS. REPORTER: EDEN GAVE HER OWN EQUIPMENT TO SOME OF TEAMMATES. EDEN HAS SPEARHEADED A PARTNERSHIP WITH USA SOFTBALL KANSAS CITY THEY’RE PLAYING A -- >> IT’S ABOUT HOW I CAN MAKE THE SCHOOL BETTER. REPORTER: EDEN HAS SPEARHEADED A PARTNERSHIP WITH USA SOFTBALL KANSAS CITY THEY’RE PLAYING A CHARITY TOURNAMENT THIS FALL WITH ALL PROCEEDS BENEFITING WINNETONKA. >> WE FEEL THAT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY LARA: >> YOU ARE PART OF THE INFORMATION. REPORTER: EDEN’S ALSO RAISING $10,000 FOR A LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP. SHE HOPES TO GIVE $1,000 TO A DESERVING PLAYER EVERY YEAR. ALLOWING HER TO KEEP SERVING LONG AFTER SHE WALKS OFF THE SOFTBALL FIELD FOR THE LAST TIME. >> IF WE LOST EVERY SINGLE GAME IT WOULD NOT MATTER AS LONG AS WE ARE STILL DOING THINGS FOR EACH OTHER. REPORTER KRIS: EDEN IS GOING TO COLLEGE ON A SPORTS SCHOLARSHIP. SHE PLANS TO GO TO MEDICAL SCHOOL AND BECOME A SURGEON. LARA: FOR MORE ON HOW TO SUPPORT HER LEGACY SCHOLAR

A local standout student athlete is helping her team win both on and off the field. Softball is more than a game for her. We had a chance to talk to this promising young woman on how, and why, she's giving back.

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"It was like the first practice, and a girl showed up with a plastic bag, with like, a glove in it, and that's all she had," said Eden Viles, 17, a junior softball player at Winnetonka High School in north Kansas City.

Eden has always felt called to serve others. Some of her Lady Griffin teammates have to leave practice a little early to help make ends meet at home.

"We have several students that will come and try out, and have never played before, and won't have a glove, won't have shoes, won't have bats," said head coach Marc Asquith. The program, in it's 40th season, has blossomed under Asquith's leadership. They've added the KC USA Softball Academy Performance Edge Seminar, in conjunction with the Heartland World Series. It features coaches from Team USA, and the best fast pitch players in the world, as well as programs from Will Shields and 68 Inside Sports, whom the team has partnered with. The partnership includes spotlight charity games, and is expanding to other local schools. The goal is to reach kids from all levels and backgrounds, giving them more than just the love of the sport.

This cause is near and dear to Eden's heart, who gave her own equipment to some of her teammates."It's not about me, and it's not about how well I play on that team, or if I have the best gear; it's about how can I make the school better...it just boosts confidence, and it will probably not only give us a better winning record, but just like make us more of a family, " said Viles, a starter who plays multiple positions for the team.

Eden has spearheaded a partnership with USA Softball of Kansas City. They're playing a charity tournament this fall with all proceeds benefiting the Winnetonka High School Lady Griffins softball program. "We just feel that that is our responsibility as good citizens of Kansas City to give back to our community," said Mary Mahoney, USA Softball KC Girls Fast Pitch Commissioner. "You are part of a bigger mission, to serve more than just softball," said Casey Borovac, USA Softball KC Deputy Junior Olympic Commissioner. Borovac is also working with Eden to organize the partnership and fall charity tournament.

Eden and her teammates have a goal to raise $10,000 each over the next year for legacy scholarships. The first scholarships in increments of $1,000 will be granted next school year. The players will choose who to donate the funds to. Eden plans to give hers to deserving softball players, giving them the confidence and pride of having decent equipment. "They actually feel like a part of the team; they don't feel like an outcast, because they don't have as much," said Viles. Eden's sister Jordan is donating hers to the special needs of Winnetonka.

Eden hopes to inspire players from other local schools to start legacy scholarships to give back to those in need, and to the community they live in, leaving a positive footprint.

The program will also allow Eden to keep serving, long after she walks off the softball field for the last time. "If we lost every single game, it wouldn't matter, as long as we're still doing things for each other, and it's not just about, like myself, it's about the team," said Eden.

Eden is going to college on an athletic scholarship. She plans to attend medical school, and become a surgeon. If you'd like to help support her legacy scholarship and the Winnetonka High School Lady Griffin softball program, stop by the USA Softball of Kansas City Website.